UNDP in Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa, Tokelau

6 Promote gender equality and empower women

Where we are

MDG

Cook Islands

Niue

Samoa

Tokelau

MDG 3

On Track

On Track

Mixed

n/a

Niue's progress

Women continue to enjoy equal opportunities afforded to all Niuean citizens and are encouraged to live lifestyles of their choice. Both men and women are given equal rights to participate in all sectors of the economy without prejudice including the legitimate right to participate in Niue’s democratic parliamentary elections.

Samoa's progress

There is gender inequality in Samoa and there should be particular focus on addressing such issues as sexual and domestic violence against women as well as women’s under representation in macro decision-making processes such as in Parliament. The implementation of government policies and international agreements to promote gender equality, such as CEDAW, need to be supported through a review of legislation and other capacity-development initiatives. Read more in the Samoa CPAP 2008-2012, p 3.

Where we are globally

Proportion of seats held by women in single or lower houses of national parliaments, 2000 and 2013 (Percentage). Source: The Millennium Development Goals Report 2013.

Women are assuming more power in the world’s parliaments, boosted by quota systems.

Gender parity is closest to being achieved at the primary level; however, only 2 out of 130 countries have achieved that target at all levels of education.

Globally, 40 out of 100 wage-earning jobs in the non-agricultural sector are held by women.

As of 31 January 2013, the average share of women members in parliaments worldwide was just over 20 per cent.